This bill aims to amend and clarify the existing laws regarding malicious assault, unlawful assault, and battery against law enforcement officers, correctional employees, and emergency medical service personnel in West Virginia. It introduces a new section, 61-2-10c, which provides specific definitions for terms such as "emergency service personnel," "law-enforcement officer," and "correctional employee." The bill establishes penalties for various offenses, including malicious assault, unlawful assault, battery, and assault, with varying degrees of severity and corresponding prison sentences based on the nature of the offense.

Key changes include the removal of certain definitions and the addition of new language that specifically identifies the protected classes of individuals, such as emergency service personnel and correctional employees, while also clarifying the penalties associated with each type of assault. For instance, malicious assault against these individuals is classified as a felony with a potential prison sentence of three to fifteen years, while unlawful assault carries a sentence of two to five years. The bill also stipulates that individuals convicted of crimes against correctional employees cannot have their sentences run concurrently with any other sentences they may be serving at the time of the offense.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 61-2-10b, 61-2-10c